Unfortunately, it is quite common for dogs to tread on sharp objects and for them to become embedded in the pads of their paws. Splinters and thorns should ideally be carefully removed as quickly as possible. However, it is really important you know how to do this safely and when it’s better to seek veterinary attention.
How to remove thorns or splinters from your pet’s paw:
- Clean the area with warm soapy water.
- Using a pair of clean tweezers, grip the splinter close to the skin and gently pull the splinter or thorn out at the same angle it appears to have entered.
- Gently squeeze around the wound to encourage a little bleeding and ensure that the object has been completely expelled and there is nothing further remaining. Clean the wound once more and then cover with a breathable sterile dressing.
If the thorn or splinter is embedded in a joint it should only be removed by a vet, as it is possible that the joint capsule may have been damaged and this could lead to serious infection within the joint.
What if there is glass in the wound?
If you suspect that there is a glass in the wound, do not attempt to remove it. Your pet may need an x-ray so the vet can establish the size of the glass and ensure it hasn’t penetrated anything important.
Embedded Objects
If there is a wound with something embedded in it, you should not remove the object. The foreign body may well have caused damage on the way in and could cause further damage on removal. The object is also likely be stemming bleeding.
- Apply pressure without pushing on the embedded object.
- Use a rolled cloth, triangular bandage or two rolled bandages to make a doughnut ring. Use it to apply pressure over the wound without pushing the object further in.
- Call the vet.
- Pad above the embedded object using rolled bandages. Bandage over the pads and wound to prevent the object getting knocked on the way to the vet’s.
About us
Written by Emma Hammett for First Aid for Life
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It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency. Please visit https://firstaidforlife.org.uk, https://www.firstaidforpets.net or call 0208 675 4036 for more information about our courses.
First Aid for Life is a multi-award-winning, fully regulated first aid training provider. Our trainers are highly experienced medical, health and emergency services professionals. They will tailor the training to your needs. Courses for groups or individuals at our venue or yours.
First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance. It is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused.
I cannot see or find the thorn, but she limps and licks that pad of her front paw. She also won’t hold still when I want to inspect further.
I’m having the same problem! And my cat is doing the same thing! Can you give me a little advice how you got it out?please
What did you end up doing for your cat? Same thing happened with me and I’m deciding whether I should go to a vet or not.
my dig excessively chewing at area of paw; its reddening. not funded for vet visit. i do not see gross evidence of a foreign body. so far, i put some epsom salts (he flung them away) and a little triple antibiotic oint. what do i do here at home?
What can I give my dog to make him more at ease? ? I want to look at his right paw, he started limping yesterday and keeps licking his paw. He tried to bite me just for trying to look?
Mine either
I got the same problem and I can’t seen to be able of grab anything out of his paws I try so many different type of twizers and I can’t find the one that will help me remove anything from his paws
I think my dog has something in her paw she cane in limping been on the grass shes not licking it
Is your dog okay now? What was the cause?
I know foxtails can cause a dog to limp. Its a plant that embeds themselves deeper and deeper into the humans skin or a dogs skin and cause major discomfort.
I think my huskie has a thorn INSIDE the pad of his paw. He let’s me touch his paw, but when he tries to walk fast he limps. He doesn’t lift his paw, but, this started after I had removed a thorn on a walk. He takes onsior, but i cant see a very as they are only seeing emergencies. Will any remnant work it’s way through? Thank you
How can I remove something stuck in my dogs paw he will not let us stuck the area
My dog is limping not sure what to do he’s not whining, whimpering etc. Possibly could have stepped on something outside should I try soaking his paw in baking soda warm water?
There’s something stuck in my dogs paw
He want let us take it out
Cheej@windstream.net
I am pretty sure it is a thorn embedded in his paw. It has been there for a while. Sometimes he limps and sometimes he doesn’t .
We live in rural Georgia, so it is pretty far to a vet here.
My jack russell has something in its front paw can’t take a look as I want to keep my fingers
I have a 10 year old Red Heeler aka Australian cattle dog. She had just came in from her potty break. I thought it was frostbite. But after inspecting it. She has a rock embedded in her nail. I tried to clip and remove the object, but she won’t let me do it. How do I get her to remove it?
My dog is a Yorkie. I am sure that he has a small cactus thorn in the middle of his footpad. He is always licking it but won’t let me touch him. The reason I think this is I did get part of it out but can’t get close enough to look at it now.
My dog has been licking qnd biting back right paw for weeks. I clean it, he let’s me rub underneath with warm cloth, anti-itch treatments, vitamin E serum etc. Nothing has worked. Today I found something embedded under his paw between pads: he pulls away when I touch the area. It looks like, two black staples….but it’s not….does anyone know what this could be?
My dog has a thorn or something in one of his front feet. He limps a bit, but not bad. We don’t have a vetinarian near our our home.
Because it’s so difficult to see the area up close I use my cell phone and take photos of the pad, so I can enlarge it. I’d also bend the paw back and forth and move the leg (carefully) to see if it’s actually the pad or something else. You might consider giving your dog Benadryl (check online for dosage) to calm them. From there I would advise muzzling the dog. You can use a leash wrapped around the snout twice then crisscrossed under the chin then tied behind the head (gauze can also be used.) If you have someone to hold the dog this makes everything a bit easier. With the dog muzzled and on its side have someone lean over and put their forearm lightly across the dog’s neck their hand restrain the leg and the same with the hip area. (If you are alone you might consider making a sling to free up your hands. Youtube has lots of examples of how to do this.) This works best with smaller breeds)
I would then run my finger and nail over each pad and see if you can feel any resistance. Then lightly push on each pad. Move on to each nail and between them. Remember long nails could also be the problem (my dog’s one long toenail was crossed over the other.) Finally, move your finger into the space in front of the main pad. You might feel a ball of hair there or a rock that should be coaxed out. You can trim out the fur with an electric trimmer or pull on it then snip it with scissors. Remove thorns or glass using tweezers. Wash the wound after with soap and water. A gauze pad can be applied to keep it clean (change it daily.)
Cheers!
My 15 pound shih tzu Pom cross has raspberry thorns in her mouth. Most likely on her front lips. These thorns are so tiny, tweezers can’t grab them and you really can’t see them easily if at all. It hasn’t stopped her eating, she just won’t play anymore. No tugging on things or picking things up in her mouth. Even if I was willing to risk taking her to a vet (who would most likely want to put her under), the chance of them locating the thorn or thorns is highly unlikely. No idea what to do. It must be a constant irritant for her as anyone knows who has had this issue themselves. Not hugely painful unless touched or moved, but a never ending source of irritation. If i could completely immobilize her, there might be a chance of me helping her. But how do you do that with a dog’s mouth? She won’t let me anywhere near her if she thinks I’m going to try and touch her mouth now.
I don’t have money for a vet, my dog is limping in pain crying and I don’t know what to do. I feel so helpless what can I do?